Mobile terminal and control method thereof

ABSTRACT

A method for operating a terminal according to an embodiment includes detecting an object that contacts the terminal, determining an operation of the terminal corresponding to the detected object, and performing the determined operation of the terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0079881, filed on Jul. 8, 2013 entitled “MOBILE TERMINAL ANDCONTROL METHOD THEREOF” and Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0093349, filed on Aug. 6, 2013 entitled “TERMINAL AND OPERATINGMETHOD THEREOF”, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety into this application.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a terminal and a method for operatingthe same, and particularly, to a terminal for detecting an object thatcontacts the terminal and a method for operating the same.

Terminals may be generally classified as mobile/portable terminals orstationary terminals according to their mobility. Mobile terminals mayalso be classified as handheld terminals or vehicle mounted terminalsaccording to whether or not a user can directly carry the terminal.

Mobile terminals have become increasingly more functional. Examples ofsuch functions include data and voice communications, capturing imagesand video via a camera, recording audio, playing music files via aspeaker system, and displaying images and video on a display. Somemobile terminals include additional functionality which supports gameplaying, while other terminals are configured as multimedia players.More recently, mobile terminals have been configured to receivebroadcast and multicast signals which permit viewing of content such asvideos and television programs.

Efforts are ongoing to support and increase the functionality of mobileterminals. Such efforts include software and hardware improvements, aswell as changes and improvements in the structural components.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method for operating a terminal includes detectingan object that contacts the terminal, determining an operation of theterminal corresponding to the detected object, and performing thedetermined operation of the terminal.

In another embodiment, a terminal includes a proximity sensor unitconfigured to detect an object that contacts the terminal, and a controlunit configured to determine an operation of the terminal correspondingto the detected object and perform the determined operation of theterminal.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent fromthe description and drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams exemplarily illustrating a plurality ofproximity sensors provided to the terminal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the terminal taken along the line A-A′of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating shapes of figures recognized by theterminal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the terminal recognizing aplurality of shapes according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the terminal whichdisplays a menu item and a shape matched thereto according to anembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating locations of figures recognized by theterminal according to an embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the terminal whichdisplays a menu item according to a location of a recognized figureaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the terminal whichdisplays a menu item according to a location of a recognized figureaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the terminal that hasfailed to recognize a figure according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing registration of a figure and anoperation of the terminal recognizing the registered figure.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a method of controllingcontent on the basis of a detection signal according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 22 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a method of controllingcontent on the basis of a detection signal according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 23 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a terminal according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram exemplarily illustrating a part of a contentpad attached to the terminal according to another embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram exemplarily illustrating a method ofdetecting a length of a content pad attached to the terminal accordingto another embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram exemplarily illustrating an optical guideaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to another embodiment.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal according to anotherembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a terminal according to an embodiment will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the followingdescription, the terms “module” and “unit” for referring to elements areassigned and used interchangeably for ease of description, and thus, theterms per se do not necessarily have different meanings or functions.

A terminal described herein may include a mobile terminal such as amobile phone, a smartphone, a smart pad, a laptop computer, a terminalfor digital broadcasting, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portablemultimedia player (PMP) and a navigator. However, those skilled in theart would understand that configurations according to the embodimentsdescribed herein may also be applied to not only mobile devices but alsonon-mobile devices such as digital TVs and desktop computers.

A structure of a terminal according to an embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal according to anembodiment.

A terminal 100 may include a wireless communication unit 110, anaudio/video (A/V) input unit 120, a user input unit 130, a sensing unit140, an output unit 150, a memory 160, an interface unit 170, a controlunit 180, and a power supply unit 190. The elements illustrated in FIG.1 may not be essential, and thus, some elements may be omitted or otherelements may be added.

Hereinafter, the above-mentioned elements will be described.

The wireless communication unit 100 may include at least one module thatenables communication between the terminal 100 and a wirelesscommunication system or between the terminal 100 and a network where theterminal 100 is located. For example, the wireless communication unit110 may include a broadcast receiving unit 111, a mobile communicationmodule 112, a wireless internet module 113, a short-range communicationmodule 114, and a location information module 115.

The broadcast receiving unit 111 receives, from an external broadcastmanagement server, a broadcast signal and/or broadcast-relatedinformation through a broadcast channel.

The broadcast channel may include a satellite channel and a terrestrialchannel. The broadcast management server may represent a server thatgenerates and transmits the broadcast signal and/or thebroadcast-related information, or a server that receives a pre-generatedbroadcast signal and/or broadcast-related information and transmits thereceived broadcast signal and/or broadcast-related information to theterminal. The broadcast signal may include not only a TV broadcastsignal, a radio broadcast signal, and a data broadcast signal but also abroadcast signal obtained by combining the TV or radio broadcast signalwith the data broadcast signal.

The broadcast-related information may represent information related to abroadcast channel, a broadcast program, or a broadcast service provider.The broadcast-related information may also be provided through a mobilecommunication network. In this case, the broadcast-related informationmay be received by the mobile communication module 112.

The broadcast-related information may have various formats. For example,the broadcast-related information may have a format of an electronicprogram guide (EPG) of digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) or anelectronic service guide (ESG) of a digital video broadcast-handheld(DVB-H).

The broadcast receiving module 111 may receive a digital broadcastsignal using a digital broadcasting system such as digital multimediabroadcasting-terrestrial (DMB-T), digital multimediabroadcasting-satellite (DMB-S), media forward link only (MediaFLO),digital video broadcast-handheld (DVD-H), or integrated services digitalbroadcast-terrestrial (ISDB-T). The broadcast receiving module 111 mayalso be configured to be suitable for other broadcasting systems.

The broadcast signal and/or the broadcast-related information receivedthrough the broadcast receiving module 111 may be stored in the memory160.

The mobile communication module 112 transmits/receives radio signalsto/from at least one of a base station, an external terminal, and aserver on the mobile communication network. The radio signal may includevarious types of data according to transmission of a voice call signal,a video call signal, or text/multimedia messages.

The wireless internal module 113 represents a module for wirelessinternet access, and may be installed in the terminal 100 or outside theterminal 100. A wireless internet technology such as wireless LAN (WLAN)(Wi-Fi), wireless broadband (Wibro), world interoperability formicrowave access (Wimax), or high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA)may be used.

The short-range communication module 114 represents a module forshort-range communication. A short-range communication technology suchas Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID), infrared dataassociation (IrDA), ultra wideband (UWB), or ZigBee may be used.

The location information module 115 serves to acquire a location of theterminal 100, and a representative example of the location informationmodule 115 is a global positioning system (GPS) module.

Referring to FIG. 1, the A/V input unit 120 is for inputting an audiosignal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone122. The camera 121 processes image frames of still images or videoobtained by an image sensor in a video call mode or a shooting mode. Theprocessed image frames may be displayed on a display unit 151.

The image frames processed in the camera 121 may be stored in the memory160 or may be transmitted to the outside through the wirelesscommunication unit 110. Two or more cameras 121 may be providedaccording to a use environment.

The microphone 122 receives and processes an external sound signal toobtain electric voice data, in a call mode, a recording mode, or a voicerecognition mode. In the case of the call mode, the obtained voice datamay be converted into such a format as to be transmitted to a mobilecommunication base station through the mobile communication module 112.Various noise elimination algorithms may be applied to the microphone122 to eliminate noise generated while the external sound signal isreceived.

The user input unit 130 receives input data for controlling the terminal100. The user input unit 130 may include a keypad, a dome switch, atouchpad (resistive/capacitive type), a jog wheel, and a jog switch.

The sensing unit 140 detects a current state of the terminal 100, forexample, detects whether the terminal 100 is opened/closed and whether auser contacts the terminal 100, and detects an azimuth andacceleration/deceleration of the terminal 100. Then, the sensing unit140 generates a sensing signal for controlling an operation of theterminal 100. For example, in the case where the terminal 100 is aslide-type phone, it may be sensed whether the phone is opened/closed.Further, it may be sensed whether power is supplied by the power supplyunit 190 and whether the interface unit 170 is connected to an externaldevice. The sensing unit 140 may include a proximity sensor 141.

The output unit 150 serves to generate visual, auditory, and tactileoutputs. The output unit 150 may include the display unit 151, a soundoutput module 152, an alarm unit 153, and a haptic module 154.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed in theterminal 100. For example, in the case where the terminal 100 is in thecall mode, the display unit 151 displays a user interface (UI) orgraphic user interface (GUI) related to a call. In the case where theterminal 100 is in the video call mode or the shooting mode, the displayunit 151 displays the UI, GUI, or shot and/or received images.

The display unit 151 may include at least one of a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD),an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a flexible display, and a 3Ddisplay.

Some of the displays may be transparent or light transmissive displays.Such a display may be referred to as a transparent display. Thetransparent display includes, for example, a transparent OLED (TOLED). Arear structure of the display unit 151 may also be light transmissive.Due to such structures, a user may view an object located at the back ofa body of the terminal through an area of the display unit 151 of theterminal.

According to the type of the terminal 100, two or more display units 151may be provided. For example, a plurality of display units may bearranged integrally or separately on one surface of the terminal 100 ormay be arranged on different surfaces respectively.

In the case where the display unit 151 and a sensor for sensing a touchmotion (hereinafter referred to as a touch sensor) form a layerstructure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit151 may be used as both an output device and an input device. The touchsensor may include, for example, a touch film, a touch sheet, and atouch pad.

The touch sensor may be configured so that a change in a pressure on aspecific site of the display unit 151 or a change in a capacitance of aspecific site of the display unit 151 is converted to an electric inputsignal. The touch sensor may be configured so as to detect not only alocation and an area of a touch but also a pressure of the touch.

When a touch input is performed on the touch sensor, signal(s)corresponding to the touch input is (are) transmitted to a touchcontroller. The touch controller processes the signal(s) and thentransmits the processed signal(s) to the control unit 180. In thismanner, the control unit 180 may recognize what region of the displayunit 151 has been touched.

Referring to FIG. 1, the proximity sensor 141 may be arranged in aninternal region of the terminal 100 surrounded by the touch screen or inthe vicinity of the touch screen. The proximity sensor 141 represents asensor that detects an object approaching a certain detection surface oran object located near the sensor using force of an electromagneticfield or infrared rays without mechanically contacting the object. Theproximity sensor 141 has a longer life than that of a contact-typesensor and may be widely applied.

The proximity sensor 141 may include, for example, a transmissivephotoelectric sensor, a direct reflection-type photoelectric sensor, amirror reflection-type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequencyoscillation-type proximity sensor, a capacitive-type proximity sensor, amagnetic proximity sensor, and an infrared proximity sensor. In the casewhere the touch screen is a capacitive type, an approach of the pointeris detected due to a change in an electric field. In this case, thetouch screen (touch sensor) may be classified as a proximity sensor.

Hereinafter, for convenience, “proximity touch” represents an act oflocating the pointer over the touch screen without making a contacttherewith, and “contact touch” represents an act of making the pointeractually contact the touch screen. The location over the touch screenproximity-touched by the pointer represents a location where the pointervertically opposes the touch screen when the pointer performs theproximity touch.

The proximity sensor 141 detects the proximity touch and a proximitytouch pattern (e.g. a proximity touch distance, a proximity touchdirection, a proximity touch speed, a proximity touch time, a proximitytouch location, a proximity touch movement state, etc). Informationcorresponding to the detected proximity touch motion and the proximitytouch pattern may be output to the touch screen. The display unit 151may include the touch screen.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams exemplarily illustrating a plurality ofproximity sensors provided to the terminal according to an embodiment.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the terminal 100 according to anembodiment includes a plurality of first sensors 145 provided to a leftside of the terminal 100, a plurality of second sensors 146 provided toa right side of the terminal 100, and a plurality of third sensors 147installed on a lower side of the terminal 100. The terminal 100 mayfurther include a plurality of fourth sensors (not illustrated)installed on an upper side of the terminal 100.

The proximity sensor 141 may include an infrared sensor 142.

Referring to FIG. 1, the infrared 142 may be arranged in the vicinity ofthe touch screen. The infrared sensor 142 detects an object thatcontacts a certain detection surface by means of infrared light.

For example, a light-emitting unit including an infrared light-emittingelement such as an infrared light-emitting diode and a light-receivingunit including the infrared sensor 142 may be arranged in the vicinityof the touch screen. The number of the infrared sensors 142 may bedetermined according to the resolution of the display unit 151.

The light-emitting unit may be arranged on one side of the touch screen,and the light-receiving unit may be arranged on the other side of thetouch screen. Alternatively, the light-emitting unit may be arranged ona lower end portion of the touch screen, and the light-receiving unitmay be arranged on an upper end portion of the touch screen. However,the arrangement of the light-emitting unit and light-receiving unit isnot limited thereto.

If there is no touch action by a human finger or an additional touchtool on the touch screen or in the vicinity of the touch screen, theentirety of infrared light emitted from the light-emitting unit isdetected by the infrared sensor 142. That is, if infrared light is notdetected by the infrared sensor 142 of the light-receiving unit, it maybe determined that a touch action has been performed at a point wherethe infrared light is not detected.

In this manner, the control unit 180 may determine final coordinates(x,y) of the touch point on the basis of a horizontal coordinate value xand a vertical coordinate value y of the touch point sensed by thesensing unit 140. Furthermore, the control unit 180 may also determinethe size or shape of a plurality of touch points on the basis ofhorizontal coordinate values and vertical coordinate values of theplurality of touch points sensed by the sensing unit 140, but thecontrol unit 180 is not limited thereto.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section view of the terminal taken along the line A-A′of FIG. 3.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each proximity sensor 141 arranged in theterminal according to an embodiment may include an optical guide 141-1for guiding light emitted from the proximity sensor 141. Light may beemitted or light reflected from an object may be received through theoptical guide 141-1 so as to correctly sense the proximity of theobject.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data received from thewireless communication unit 110 or stored in the memory 160 in a callsignal receiving mode, a call mode, a recording mode, a voicerecognition mode, or a broadcast receiving mode. The sound output module152 may output a sound signal related to a function performed in theterminal 100 (e.g. call signal receiving sound, message receiving sound,etc). The sound output unit 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, abuzzer, and the like.

The alarm unit 153 outputs a signal for notifying an event occurrence ofthe terminal 100. An event that occurs in the terminal 100 may include,for example, call signal reception, message reception, key signal input,and touch input. The alarm unit 153 may output the signal for notifyingthe event occurrence in a different form from a video or audio signal,such as vibration. The video signal or audio signal may also be outputthrough the display unit 151 or the sound output module 152. Therefore,the display unit 151 or the sound output module 152 may be classified asa part of the alarm unit 153.

The haptic module 154 generates various tactile effects that may be feltby a user. The tactile effect generated by the haptic module 154includes, for example, vibration. An intensity and a pattern of thevibration generated by the haptic module 154 may be controlled. Forexample, different vibrations may be synthesized to be output, or may besequentially output.

In addition to the vibration effect, the haptic module 154 may generatevarious tactile effects caused by a pin arrangement vertically moving ona contact skin surface, jet or suction of air through a jet or suctionhole, sweeping on a skin surface, contact of an electrode, andstimulation by electrostatic force, or effects of giving feeling ofwarmth/coldness using a heat-absorbing or heating device.

The haptic module 154 may be configured so as to give the tactileeffects to a user not only through a direct contact but also throughmuscle sense of a finger or an arm. Two or more haptic modules 154 maybe provided according to a configuration of the terminal 100.

The memory 160 may store a program for operating the control unit 180and may temporarily store input/output data (e.g. phonebook, message,still image, video, etc). The memory 160 may store data on variouspatterns of vibration and sound output when a touch input performed onthe touch screen.

The memory 160 may include at least one of storage media such as a flashmemory, a hard disk, a multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory(e.g. SD or XD memory), a random access memory (RAM), a static randomaccess memory (SRAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an electrically erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EEPROM), a programmable read-only memory(PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, and an optical disk. Theterminal 100 may be operated in association with a web storage forperforming a storage function of the memory 160 on the internet.

The interface unit 170 serves as a passage to all external devicesconnected to the terminal 100. The interface unit 170 receives data fromthe external devices, delivers power to each element in the terminal100, or allows data in the terminal 100 to be transmitted to theexternal devices. For example, the interface unit 170 may include awired/wireless headset port, an external charger port, a wired/wirelessdata port, a memory card port, a port for connecting a device having anidentification module, an audio input/output (I/O) port, a video I/Oport, and an earphone port.

The identification module stores various pieces of information forauthenticating the authority to use the terminal 100. The identificationmodule may include a user identify module (UIM), a subscriber identitymodule (SIM), and a universal subscriber identity module (USIM). Thedevice having the identification module (hereinafter referred to as anidentification device) may be manufactured in a form of a smart card.Thus, the identification device may be connected to the terminal 100through a port.

The interface unit 170 may serve as a passage for supplying power froman external cradle to the terminal 100 when the terminal 100 isconnected to the cradle, or may serve as a passage for transmittingvarious command signals, which are input to the cradle by a user, to theterminal 100. The various command signals or the power input from thecradle may operate as a signal for recognizing whether the terminal 100is correctly mounted on the cradle.

The control unit 180 controls an overall operation of the terminal 100.For example, the control unit 180 performs a control operation and aprocessing operation related to a voice call, data communication, and avideo call. The control unit 180 may be provided with a multimediamodule 181 for playing multimedia. The multimedia module 181 may beinstalled in the control unit 180 or may be separated from the controlunit 180.

The control unit 180 may perform a pattern recognition process forrecognizing characters or images from a handwriting input or a picturedrawing input performed on the touch screen.

The power supply unit 190 receives external power and internal power andsupplies power required for operating each element, according to controlby the control unit 180.

The various embodiments described herein may be implemented, forexample, in a recording medium readable by a computer or a similardevice using software, hardware, or a combination thereof.

For implementation with hardware, the embodiments described herein maybe implemented using at least one of application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signalprocessing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,micro-controllers, microprocessors, and other electric units. In somecases, such embodiments may be implemented by the control unit 180.

For implementation with software, an embodiment related to a procedureor a function may be implemented with a separate software module forperforming at least one function or operation. A software code may beimplemented by a software application coded by an appropriateprogramming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 160and may be executed by the control unit 180.

The terminal 100 for providing a menu item shortcut service uponreceiving a figure as an input will be described with reference to FIGS.5 and 6.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control unit 180 matches a shape to a menu item(operation S101).

The control unit 180 may match the shape to the menu item according to aprovider input or a user input.

The shape may represent a two-dimensional figure or a three-dimensionalfigure, but is not limited thereto. For example, the shape may have aform of one side of a three-dimensional block.

The menu item may include a hardware function provided by the terminal100 and a software function provided by an application installed in theterminal 100, but is not limited thereto.

The control unit 180 may match a plurality of shapes to a plurality ofmenu items.

The plurality of shapes matched to the plurality of menu items will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the shapes of figures recognized by theterminal according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6A, six different shapes may be matched to sixdifferent menu items.

For example, a cross shape 145, a pentagon shape 146, a circle shape147, a triangle shape 14, a quadrangle shape 15, and a star shape 16 maybe respectively matched to a picture diary 21, a kids library 22, acamera 23, an amusement park 24, a message box 25, and a treasure chest26 which are menu items provided by a kids pad.

Here, the kids pad may be a hardware function provided by the terminal100 or a software application installed therein, but is not limitedthereto.

Description is provided below, referring back to FIG. 5.

The control unit 180 receives a figure input (operation S103). Forexample, the control unit 180 may detect the existence of an object thatcontacts the touch screen using the infrared sensor 142. Furthermore,the control unit 180 may detect the existence of an object adjacent tothe touch screen using the proximity sensor 141. Reception of a figureinput will be described in detail, referring back to FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6B, when a user places a three-dimensional block ofwhich a bottom side has the triangle shape on the display unit 151including the touch screen of the terminal 100, the control unit 180 mayreceive a figure input through the infrared sensor 142. However, thefigure input is not limited to the example described above withreference to FIG. 6B.

Description is provided below, referring back to FIG. 5.

When the figure input is received, the control unit 180 determines theshape of the input figure (operation S105). For example, the controlunit 180 may determine the shape of a corresponding object usinghorizontal coordinate values and vertical coordinate values of aplurality of touch points sensed by the infrared sensor 142.

Referring back to FIG. 6B, the control unit 180 may determine that theobject has the triangle shape 14 on the basis of the figure inputreceived through the infrared sensor 142.

Description is provided below, referring back to FIG. 5.

The control unit 180 performs a menu item corresponding to thedetermined shape (operation S107). The menu item corresponding to thedetermined shape may represent the menu item matched to the shapedetermined in operation 5101 described above. The execution of the menuitem corresponding to the determined shape will be described in detailwith reference to FIG. 6.

When the shape of the object placed on the touch screen is determined asthe triangle shape 14, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the control unit 180may perform the menu item of the amusement park 24 corresponding to thetriangle shape 14 as illustrated in FIG. 6A. That is, the control unit180 may display an execution screen of the amusement park 24 on thedisplay unit 151, although not illustrated in the drawings.

In this manner, the terminal 100 may detect a figure input correspondingto a command for executing a specific application using the sensor unit140.

The terminal 100 for simultaneously executing and displaying a pluralityof applications in response to reception of a plurality of figure inputswill be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Hereinafter,descriptions that overlap with the above descriptions will be omitted orbriefly provided, and different portions will be described in detail.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the control unit 180 matches a shape to a menu item(operation S301). As described above with reference to FIG. 6A, thecontrol unit 180 may match a plurality of different shapes to aplurality of different menu items.

Thereafter, when a first figure input is received (operation S303), thecontrol unit 180 determines the shape of the first figure (operationS305), and executes a menu item corresponding to the shape of the firstfigure to display the executed menu item on a first screen (operationS307). The execution of the menu item corresponding to the shape of thefirst figure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the terminal recognizing aplurality of shapes according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the control unit 180 may determine the shape of afirst FIG. 31 when the first FIG. 31 that contacts the touch screen isdetected by the infrared sensor 142, and may display an execution screen41 of a first application corresponding to the shape of the first FIG.31, i.e., a triangle shape, on an entire screen of the display unit 151.

Description is provided below, referring back to FIG. 7.

Thereafter, when a second figure input is received (operation S309), thecontrol unit 180 determines the shape of the second figure (operationS311), and executes a menu item corresponding to the shape of the secondfigure to display the executed menu item on a second screen (operationS313).

Referring back to FIG. 8, the control unit 180 may determine the shapeof a second FIG. 33 when the second figure that contacts the touchscreen is detected by the infrared sensor 142, and may display anexecution screen 43 of a second application corresponding to the shapeof the second FIG. 33, i.e., a pentagon shape, on a partial screen ofthe display unit 151.

That is, the control unit 180 may overlaying the execution screen 43 ofthe second application which is smaller than a background screen on apart of the background screen, while displaying the execution screen 41of the first application as the background screen of the display unit151.

Alternatively, although not illustrated in the drawings, the controlunit 180 may reconfigure the screen so that the execution screen 41 ofthe first application and the execution screen 43 of the secondapplication are display in a grid pattern. Here, the size of theexecution screen 41 of the first application may be the same as ordifferent from that of the execution screen 43 of the secondapplication, but the sizes of the screens are not limited thereto.

In this manner, the terminal 100 may detect a plurality of figure inputscorresponding to commands for executing different applications using thesensor unit 140, and may display execution screens of the applicationsusing a multi window.

As described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, the terminalaccording to an embodiment provides a user interface for receiving afigure input for performing a menu item shortcut function, therebyimproving the convenience of use.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the control unit 180 displays a shape and menu itemmatching screen using the display unit 151 (operation S501). The controlunit 180 may receive a first figure input through the sensor unit 140 asan input for displaying the shape and menu item matching screen, but isnot limited thereto. The shape and menu item matching screen will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the terminal whichdisplays a menu item and a shape matched thereto according to anembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10A, when a user places a three-dimensional block ofwhich a bottom side has the star shape 50 on the display unit 151including the touch screen of the terminal 100, the control unit 180 mayreceive a first figure input through the infrared sensor 142. Here, thefirst figure input may represent a menu screen display command, and theshape of a first figure for displaying a menu screen may bepredetermined according to a provider input or a user input.

The control unit 180 may display a hidden menu screen on the displayunit 151 in response to the received first figure input as illustratedin FIG. 10B.

The hidden menu screen may be a menu screen for providing a menudifferent from that of a home screen, but is not limited thereto. Thehidden menu screen according to an embodiment represents a simpler andintuitive menu screen, but is not limited thereto.

Here, regardless of the type of an execution screen displayed on thedisplay unit 151, i.e., in the case of an execution screen other than ahidden menu screen besides a home screen, the control unit 180 mayswitch the screen to a hidden menu screen in response to the input ofthe first figure having the star shape 50.

The hidden menu screen may include a first menu icon 51, a second menuicon 53, and a third menu icon 55. In an internal region of the firstmenu icon 51, a title A of a first menu and a first shape 145corresponding to the first menu may be displayed. In an internal regionof the second menu icon 53, a title B of a second menu and a secondshape 146 corresponding to the second menu may be displayed. In aninternal region of the third menu icon 55, a title C of a third menu anda third shape 113 corresponding to the third menu may be displayed.

Description is provided below, referring back to FIG. 9.

When a figure input is received (operation S503), the control unit 180determines the shape of an input figure (operation S505) and executes amenu item corresponding to the determined shape (operation S507).

Referring back to FIG. 10B, the control unit 180 may determine the shapeof the first FIG. 145 when the first FIG. 145 that contacts the touchscreen is detected by the infrared sensor 142, and may display anexecution screen (not illustrated) of a first menu corresponding to theshape of the first FIG. 145, i.e., a triangle shape, on the display unit151.

In this manner, the terminal 100 may visually guide a figurecorresponding to a menu entry command so as to induce a figure inputthrough the sensor unit 140.

Location recognition of a figure input for controlling an operation ofthe terminal 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, the control unit 180 matches a location to a menuitem (operation S701).

The location may represent a location where a two-dimensional figure ora three-dimensional figure is detected or a location where a user inputis detected, but is not limited thereto. The location may represent atleast one point or a partial region in an internal region of the displayunit 151 including the touch screen, but is not limited thereto.

The control unit 180 may match the location to the menu item accordingto a provider input or a user input.

As described above, the menu item may include a hardware functionprovided by the terminal 100 and a software function provided by anapplication installed in the terminal 100, but is not limited thereto.

The control unit 180 may match a plurality of locations to a pluralityof menu items. The plurality of locations matched to the plurality ofmenu items will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating locations of figures recognized by theterminal according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12A, three different regions may be matched to threedifferent menu items.

For example, a first region 71, a second region 73, and a third region75 may be respectively matched to a first menu, a second menu, and athird menu provided by the terminal. Here, the first to third menus mayrepresent different functions of the terminal 141 or differentapplications or may represent different pages of a single application,but is not limited thereto.

Description is provided below, referring back to FIG. 11.

When a figure input is received (operation S703), the control unit 180determines a location of an input figure (operation S705). For example,the control unit 180 may determine the location of a correspondingobject using a horizontal coordinate value and a vertical coordinatevalue of a touch point sensed by the infrared sensor 142.

Referring back to FIG. 12A, when a user places a three-dimensional blockof which a bottom side has the triangle shape on the display unit 151including the touch screen, the control unit 180 may receive the figureinput through the infrared sensor 142.

Furthermore, the control unit 180 may receive the horizontal coordinatevalue and the vertical coordinate value of the touch point sensed by theinfrared sensor 142 so as to determine the location of thethree-dimensional block as the first region 71.

Description is provided below, referring back to FIG. 11.

The control unit 180 executes a menu item corresponding to thedetermined location (operation S707). The menu item corresponding to thedetermined location may represent the menu item matched to the locationdetermined in operation S701 described above. The execution of the menuitem corresponding to the determined location will be described indetail with reference to FIG. 12.

Referring to FIG. 12B, when a triangular object 61 is detected in thefirst region 71 of the touch screen, the control unit 180 may display anexecution screen of the first menu corresponding to the first region 71on the display unit 151. Here, the control unit 180 may displayinformation 62 for notifying entry into the first menu on the displayunit 151 in the form of a popup window.

In this manner, the terminal 100 may detect a location inputcorresponding to a command for executing a specific application or acommand for executing a specific page using the sensor unit 140.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, the control unit 180 matches a location to a menuitem (operation S901).

Thereafter, when a figure input is received (operation S903), thecontrol unit 180 determines a location of an input figure (operationS905) and displays a menu item guide corresponding to the determinedlocation (operation S907). The menu item guide corresponding to thelocation where an input is sensed will be described in detail withreference to FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the terminal whichdisplays a menu item according to a location of a recognized figureaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 14, when a user places a three-dimensional blockhaving a predetermined shape 63 on the touch screen on which a firstmenu icon 72, a second menu icon 74, and a third menu icon 76 aredisplayed, the control unit 180 may receive an input of a figure havingthe predetermined shape 63 through the infrared sensor 142. Here, thefigure input of the predetermined shape 63 may represent a menu guidedisplay command.

Furthermore, while receiving the figure input of the predetermined shape63, the control unit 180 may determine a location of an input figure asa region where the first menu icon 72 is displayed using a horizontalcoordinate value and a vertical coordinate value of a touch point sensedby the infrared sensor 142. When the location of the input figure isdetermined, although not illustrated in the drawings, the control unit180 may display the first menu icon 72 so that the first menu icon 72 isdistinguished from the second and third menu icons 74 and 76 bythickening an edge of the first menu icon 72, but is not limitedthereto.

Thereafter, when an object having the predetermined shape 63 is detectedin a region where the first menu icon 72 is displayed, the control unit180 may display guide information 64 about the first menu on the displayunit 151 in the form of a popup window. Here, the guide information 64about the first menu may be displayed on the region where the first menuicon 72 is displayed or may be displayed on a background screen insteadof being displayed in the form of a popup window, but is not limitedthereto.

The guide information 64 about the first menu may include informationfor notifying that the first menu corresponds to a help topic forspecific content.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, when a user input that touchesthe first menu icon 72 is received while the menu item guidecorresponding to the location of the figure is displayed, the controlunit 180 may execute the first menu indicated by the first menu icon 72so as to display an execution screen of the first menu on the displayunit 151.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the terminal whichdisplays a menu item according to a location of a recognized figureaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, when a user places a three-dimensional blockhaving a predetermined shape 65 on an upper edge in the touch screen,the control unit 180 may receive a figure input of the predeterminedshape 65 through the infrared sensor 142. Here, the figure input of thepredetermined shape 65 detected at the upper edge may represent a hiddentab menu display command.

Furthermore, while receiving the figure input of the predetermined shape65, the control unit 180 may determine a location of the input figure asthe upper edge in the touch screen using a horizontal coordinate valueand a vertical coordinate value of a touch point sensed by the infraredsensor 142.

Thereafter, when an object having the predetermined shape 63 is detectedin the upper edge in the touch screen, the control unit 180 may displaya hidden tab menu on the display unit 151. Here, the hidden tab menu maybe displayed on the upper edge where the predetermined shape 63 has beendetected, but is not limited thereto.

The hidden tam menu may include a plurality of tabs 66 and 68 which mayindicate different categories.

Although not illustrated in the drawings, when a user input that touchesthe first tab 66 is received while the hidden tab menu is displayed, thecontrol unit 180 may display at least one menu list provided from thecategory indicated by the first tab 66 on the display unit 151, but isnot limited thereto.

An operation of the terminal 100 for the case of an inappropriate figureinput will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, the control unit 180 matches a shape to a menuitem (operation S1101). As described above, the control unit 180 maymatch a plurality of shapes to a plurality of menu items.

Thereafter, when a figure input is received (operation S1103), thecontrol unit 180 determines a shape of an input figure (operation S1105)and determines whether the determined shape is identical to the shapethat has been matched, in operation S1101, to the menu item (operationS1107).

Here, the control unit 180 may determine whether the determined shape isidentical to one of a plurality of shapes matched to a plurality of menuitems. The case where the shape of the input figure is determined as notbeing matched to a menu item will be described in detail with referenceto FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a screen of the terminal that hasfailed to recognize a figure according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17A, when a user places a three-dimensional block ofwhich a bottom side has a pentagon shape 81 and a three-dimensionalblock of which a bottom side has a triangle shape 83 so that thethree-dimensional blocks overlap each other, the control unit 180 mayreceive an input of a figure having a shape obtained by overlapping apentagon and a triangle.

If a shape pre-matched to a menu item by a provider input or a userinput is based on an input of a single figure, a shape of a figuredetermined by the control unit 180 may not be identical to a shapematched to a menu item.

However, if a shape pre-matched to a menu item by a provider input or auser input is also based on an input of the figure illustrated in FIG.17A, a shape of a figure determined by the control unit 180 may beidentical to a shape matched to a menu item.

Referring to FIG. 17B, when a user simultaneously places athree-dimensional block of which a bottom side has a pentagon shape 85and a three-dimensional block of which a bottom side has a triangleshape 87, the control unit 180 may simultaneously receive an input of afigure having a pentagon shape and an input of a figure having atriangle shape.

Here, as illustrated in FIG. 17B, when a vertical coordinate value ofthe pentagon shape 85 detected by the infrared sensor 142 is identicalto a vertical coordinate value of the triangle shape 87, the controlunit 180 may determine that a shape of a detected figure is notidentical to a shape matched to a menu item. Although not illustrated inthe drawings, when a horizontal coordinate value of the pentagon shape85 detected by the infrared sensor 142 is identical to a horizontalcoordinate value of the triangle shape 87, the control unit 180 maydetermine that a shape of a detected figure is not identical to a shapematched to a menu item.

However, even though the vertical coordinate value of the pentagon shape85 detected by the infrared sensor 142 is identical to the verticalcoordinate value of the triangle shape 87, the control unit 180 maydetermine that a shape of a detected figure is identical to a shapematched to a menu item if the horizontal coordinate value of thepentagon shape 85 is different from the horizontal coordinate value ofthe triangle shape 87. Likewise, even though the horizontal coordinatevalue of the pentagon shape 85 detected by the infrared sensor 142 isidentical to the horizontal coordinate value of the triangle shape 87,the control unit 180 may determine that a shape of a detected figure isidentical to a shape matched to a menu item if the vertical coordinatevalue of the pentagon shape 85 is different from the vertical coordinatevalue of the triangle shape 87.

Description is provided below, referring back to FIG. 16.

The control unit 180 executes a menu item corresponding to thedetermined shape if the determined shape is determined as beingidentical to the shape matched to the menu item (operation S1109), ordisplays an error message if the determined shape is determined as beingdifferent from the shape matched to the menu item (operation S1111).

The control unit 180 may execute the menu item corresponding to thedetermined shape, and may display a plurality of menu itemscorresponding to a plurality of shapes on the display unit 151 using amulti window.

On the contrary, referring to FIG. 17C, the control unit 180 may displayan error message 82 if it is determined that there is no menu itemmatched to the shape of the input figure.

The error message 82 may include a confirmation button and informationfor notifying that an input figure is unable to be recognized using theinfrared sensor 142 provided to the terminal. When a user selects theconfirmation button, displaying of the error message 82 may be stopped.

When the vertical coordinate value of the pentagon shape 85 detected bythe infrared sensor 142 is identical to the vertical coordinate value ofthe triangle shape 87, the control unit 180 may display an indicator 84for indicating a direction in the vicinity of the triangle shape 87.Here, if a user moves the three-dimensional block having the triangleshape 87 in the direction indicated by the indicator 84, the controlunit 180 may determine the pentagon shape 85 and the triangle shape 87from a plurality of figure inputs, and then may execute menu itemscorresponding to the determined shapes, and may display a plurality ofmenu items corresponding to a plurality of shapes on the display unit151 using a multi window, but is not limited thereto.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminalaccording to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 18, the control unit 180 registers a new shape matchedto a new menu item (operation S1301). The control unit 180 may allow auser to customize a figure by registering a new shape corresponding to anew menu item according to a user input. The registration of a new shapecorresponding to a new item will be described in detail with referenceto FIG. 19.

FIG. 19 is a diagram for describing registration of a figure and anoperation of the terminal recognizing the registered figure.

For example, the control unit 180 may match the dodecagon shapeillustrated in FIG. 19A to an unlocking item according to a user input.

Alternatively, the control unit 180 may change the matching statebetween the shape and the menu item illustrated in FIG. 6A according toa user input, but is not limited thereto.

Description is provided below, referring back to FIG. 18.

When an input of a figure having the new shape registered in operationS1301 is received (operation S1303), the control unit 180 determine ashape of the input figure (operation S1305), and then executes a menuitem corresponding to the determined shape (operation S1307).

Referring to FIG. 19, when a shape of a figure detected on the touchscreen on which a locking screen is displayed as illustrated in FIG. 19Bis determined as the dodecagon shape illustrated in FIG. 19A, thecontrol unit 180 may perform screen unlocking that is a menu itemcorresponding to the dodecagon shape. As described above, the terminal100 according to an embodiment may allow a user to unlock a screen byplacing a three-dimensional block selected by the user on the touchscreen without using a password, thereby improving ease of use.

Hereinafter, a method for operating the terminal according to anotherembodiment will be described.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminal100 according to another embodiment.

The display unit 151 displays content according to a request of a user(operation S1501). For example, the display unit 151 displays gamecontent requested by the user from among various pieces of game content(e.g., game programs). The various pieces of game content (e.g., gameprograms) are stored in the memory 160.

The control unit 180 determines which one or more of the plurality ofproximity sensors 141 have detected an object (operation S1503). Aproximity sensor that has detected the object, among the plurality ofproximity sensors 141, generates a detection signal, and the generateddetection signal is transferred to the control unit 180.

The control unit 180 receives the detection signal transferred by theproximity sensor that has detected the object (operation S1505).

The control unit 180 controls content on the basis of the receiveddetection signal (operation S1507). For example, the control unit 180controls game content on the basis of the received detection signal.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method of controllingcontent on the basis of a detection signal according to an embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, when hurdle race game content 6-1 isdisplayed on the display unit 151, the control unit 180 receives a firstdetection signal generated by the first sensor 145 in response totapping on an object detection region of the first sensor 135 by a user,receives a second detection signal generated by the second sensor 146 inresponse to tapping on an object detection region of the second sensor146 by the user, and displays a running motion of a character in thehurdle race game content 601 on the basis of the first and seconddetection signals. The control unit 180 receives a third detectionsignal generated by the third proximity sensor in response to tapping onan object detection region of the third sensor 147 by the user, anddisplays a jumping motion of the character in the hurdle race gamecontent 6-1 on the basis of the third detection signal.

FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating another example of the method ofcontrolling content on the basis of a detection signal according to anembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, when shooting game content 6-2 is displayedon the display unit 151, the control unit 180 receives a first detectionsignal generated by the first sensor 145 in response to tapping on anobject detection region of the first sensor 135 by a user, receives asecond detection signal generated by the second sensor 146 in responseto tapping on an object detection region of the second sensor 146 by theuser, and displays a shooting motion of a character in the shooting gamecontent 6-2 on the basis of the first and second detection signals. Thecontrol unit 180 may control various pieces of game content in additionto the game content illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, on the basis of adetection signal.

Therefore, the terminal 100 according to an embodiment may correctlycontrol content on the basis of a detection signal obtained by detectingan object by the plurality of proximity sensors 141 provided to theterminal 100.

Since the terminal 100 according to an embodiment controls content onthe basis of a detection signal obtained by detecting an object by theplurality of proximity sensors 141 provided to the terminal 100, a userdoes not need to continuously press a button of the terminal in order toplay a game, and thus, a breakdown of the button may be prevented.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal 100 according toanother embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, the terminal 100 according to anotherembodiment may further include a content pad 200 detachable from theterminal 100. The height of the content pad 200 may be smaller than thatof the terminal 100 so that the proximity sensor 141 detects an object(e.g., a hand or a finger of a user).

Various items (e.g., book pictures, triangle pictures, vehicle pictures,and piano pictures) 7-1, 7-2 and 7-3 corresponding to game content maybe displayed on the content pad 200. The control unit 180 pre-storeseach location information of the various items displayed on the contentpad 200 in the memory 160. For example, when a user taps on a first item(e.g., a book picture) among the plurality of items displayed on thecontent pad 200, a proximity sensor 141 a located adjacent to the firstitem outputs a detection signal to the control unit 180. The controlunit 180 receives the detection signal from the proximity sensor 141 a,and controls content corresponding to the first item on the basis of thereceived detection signal. That is, the control unit 180 receives thedetection signal from the proximity sensor 141 a located adjacent to abook picture, and outputs a sound of a drum through the sound outputmodule 152 on the basis of the received detection signal.

When a user taps on a second item (e.g., a triangle picture) among theplurality of items displayed on the content pad 200, a proximity sensorlocated adjacent to the second item outputs a detection signal to thecontrol unit 180. The control unit 180 receives the detection signalfrom the proximity sensor, and controls content corresponding to thesecond item on the basis of the received detection signal. The controlunit 180 receives the detection signal from the proximity sensor locatedadjacent to a triangle picture, and outputs a sound of a trianglethrough the sound output module 152 on the basis of the receiveddetection signal.

When an item of the content pad 200 does not exist in the vicinity of atleast one of the first to third sensors 145 to 147, the control unit 180may turn off at least one of the sensors 145 to 147 so as to reducepower consumption of the plurality of proximity sensors. For example,when an item of the content pad 200 does not exist at a locationadjacent to the left side of the terminal 100, the control unit 180 mayturn off the first sensor 145 so as to reduce the power consumption ofthe proximity sensors.

The terminal 100 according to another embodiment may detect a distancebetween the terminal 100 and the content pad 200. For example, theterminal 100 according to another embodiment may detect a distancebetween a corner end portion of the terminal 100 and that of the contentpad 200. The proximity sensor 141 may further include a plurality ofproximity sensors 142 a to 142 d for detecting a distance. The proximitysensors 142 a to 142 d may be installed at quoins (e.g., corner sides)of the terminal 100 respectively. Alternatively, only one of theproximity sensors 142 a to 142 d may be installed at a corner side ofthe terminal 100.

The proximity sensors 142 a to 142 d may be installed at variouslocations of the terminal 100.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram exemplarily illustrating a part of thecontent pad attached to the terminal 100 according to anotherembodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 24, the proximity sensor 142 d for detecting adistance to the content pad 200 detects a distance to an inner cornerside of the content pad 200, and transfers a detected distance (distancevalue) to the control unit 180. The proximity sensor 142 d may detect adistance to any point on the inner side of the content pad 200. Theterminal 100 according to another embodiment may include an opticalguide for guiding light emitted from the proximity sensors 142 a to 142d so as to detect the distance to the content pad 200. For example, theoptical guide connected to the proximity sensors 142 a to 142 d may beinstalled so that the optical guide faces an inner corner side of thecontent pad 200.

The terminal 100 according to another embodiment may detect not only thedistance to the content pad 200 but also detect a length of an innercorner side of the content pad 200, and may determine a type of thecontent pad 200 on the basis of the detected length. For example, aplurality of proximity sensors may be arranged in a row at each cornerside of the terminal 100 according to another embodiment, and theproximity sensors detect the length of each inner corner side of thecontent pad 200.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram exemplarily illustrating a method ofdetecting a length of the content pad attached to the terminal 100according to another embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 25, the control unit 180 may detect a length ofeach inner corner side of the content pad 200 using a plurality ofproximity sensors 142 d-1, 142 d-2, 142 d, 142 d-3 and 142 d-4 arrangedin a row at corner sides of the terminal 100 according to anotherembodiment, and may determine the type of the content pad 200 on thebasis of the detected length. Distances among the plurality of proximitysensors 142 d-1, 142-2, 1142 d, 142 d-3 and 142 d-4 may be preset by thecontrol unit 180.

For example, when three proximity sensors (e.g., 142 d-1, 142 d-2 and142 d) among the five proximity sensors 142 d-1, 142 d-2, 142 d, 142 d-3and 142 d-4 arranged at a corner side of the terminal 100 detect anobject, and the two other proximity sensors 142 d-3 and 142 d-4 do notdetect an object, the control unit 180 may determine that a length of aninner corner side of the content pad 200 is 3 cm if an arrangementlength of the three proximity sensors 142 d-1, 142 d-2 and 142 d is 3cm. The control unit 180 may determine the type of the attached contentpad 200 on the basis of the detected length. For example, if thedetected length has a first length value, the control unit 180 maydetermine that the attached content pad 200 has such a type that thecontent pad 200 includes items related to hurdle race game content 6-1.For another example, if the detected length has a second length value,the control unit 180 may determine that the attached content pad 200 hassuch a type that the content pad 200 includes items related to shootinggame content 6-2. The first and second length values may be variouslychanged by a designer.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram exemplarily illustrating an optical guideaccording to another embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 26, each proximity sensor (e.g., 142 d) arrangedin the terminal 100 according to another embodiment may include anoptical guide 142 d-5 for guiding light emitted from each proximitysensor (e.g., 142 d). By emitting light or receiving light reflectedfrom an object through the optical guide 142 d-5, a distance to anobject may be correctly detected.

A light absorbing member for reducing reflection of light emittedthrough the optical guide 142 d-5 connected to a proximity sensor (e.g.,142 d) may be arranged on a inner corner side of the content pad 200which opposes the optical guide 142 d-5. For example, when the contentpad 200 is not attached to the terminal 100, the proximity sensor (e.g.,142 d) may detect a distance to a floor on which the terminal 100 isplaced. The light absorbing member may include a black plate and a blackfabric.

Therefore, since an amount of light reflected by the light absorbingmember is smaller than that of light reflected by the floor, the controlunit 180 may recognize the attachment of the content pad 200 if anamount of light received by the proximity sensor (e.g., 142 d) is thesame as or similar to a preset reference value corresponding to theamount of light reflected by the light absorbing member. On thecontrary, if the amount of light received by the proximity sensor (e.g.,142 d) is different from the preset reference value, the control unit180 determines that the content pad 200 has been detached.

Each of the plurality of proximity sensors 142 d, 142 d-1, 142 d-2, 142d-3 and 142 d-4 may include an optical guide for guiding light.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating a method for operating the terminal100 according to another embodiment.

The control unit 180 determines whether the content pad 200 is attachedto the terminal 100. For example, the control unit 180 may determinethat the content pad 200 has been attached to the terminal 100 if theamount of light received by the proximity sensor (e.g., 142 d) is thesame as or similar to the preset reference value. On the contrary, ifthe amount of light received by the proximity sensor (e.g., 142 d) isdifferent from the preset reference value, the control unit 180 maydetermine that the content pad 200 has been detached.

The control unit 180 detects a distance between the content pad 200 andthe terminal 100 using the proximity sensor (e.g., 142 d). For example,the proximity sensor 142 d for detecting a distance to the content pad200 detects a distance between a corner of the terminal 100 and a cornerof the content pad 200, and transfers a value of the detected distanceto the control unit 180.

The control unit 180 determines the type of the content pad 200 on thebasis of the detected distance value. For example, if the detecteddistance value is a first distance value, the control unit 180 maydetermine that the attached content pad 200 has such a type that thecontent pad 200 includes items related to hurdle race game content 6-1.For another example, if the detected distance value is a second distancevalue, the control unit 180 may determine that the attached content pad200 has such a type that the content pad 200 includes items related toshooting game content 6-2. The first and second distance values may bevariously changed by a designer.

The control unit 180 retrieves content corresponding to the determinedtype of the content pad from the memory 160, and displays the retrievecontent on the display unit 151 (operation S1703). For example, if thedetected distance value is the first distance value, the control unit180 displays the hurdle race game content 6-1 on the display unit 151,and, if the detected distance value is the second distance value, thecontrol unit 180 displays the shooting game content 6-2 on the displayunit 151.

The control unit 180 determines which one or more of the plurality ofproximity sensors 141 have detected an object (operation S1705). Aproximity sensor that has detected the object, among the plurality ofproximity sensors 141, outputs a detection signal, and the outputdetection signal is transferred to the control unit 180.

The control unit 180 receives the detection signal generated by theproximity sensor that has detected the object (operation S1707).

The control unit 180 controls content on the basis of the receiveddetection signal (operation S1709). For example, the control unit 180controls game content requested by a user on the basis of the receiveddetection signal.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal 100 according toanother embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 28, the control unit 180 may display, on thedisplay unit 151, the various items (e.g., book pictures, trianglepictures, vehicle pictures, and piano pictures) 7-1, 7-2 and 7-3displayed on the content pad 200 when the content pad 200 is detached.For example, when the content pad 200 including the items related to thehurdle race game content 6-1 is attached and then is detached by a user,the control unit 180 may display the items (e.g., book pictures,triangle pictures, vehicle pictures and piano pictures) 7-1, 7-1 and 7-3related to the hurdle race game content 6-1 on the display unit 151.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

According to an embodiment, the above-mentioned methods may beimplemented as processor-readable codes in a program-recorded medium.The processor-readable recording medium includes, for example, a ROM, aRAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disk, and an optical datastorage device, and may also be implemented in the form of a carrierwave (for example, transmission via the Internet).

The above-mentioned terminals are not limited to the configuration andmethods of the above-mentioned embodiments. The entirety or part of theembodiments may be selectively combined with each other to make variousmedications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for operating a terminal detecting anobject that contacts the terminal, the method comprising: detecting theobject that contacts the terminal; determining an operation of theterminal corresponding to the detected object; and performing thedetermined operation of the terminal.
 2. The method according to claim1, wherein the detecting the object that contacts the terminal comprisesdetecting a shape of the object, and the determining the operation ofthe terminal comprises determining the operation of the terminalcorresponding to the shape.
 3. The method according to claim 2, whereinthe detecting the shape of the object comprises: detecting contact ofthe object on a touch screen included in the terminal; detecting acoordinate value of a contact point of the object detected on the touchscreen by a proximity sensor included in the terminal; and determiningthe shape of the object from the coordinate value of the contact point.4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the detecting the shape ofthe object comprises detecting shapes of a plurality of differentobjects, and the determining the operation of the terminal comprisesoperations of the terminal corresponding to the shapes of the pluralityof different objects.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein thedetecting the object that contacts the terminal comprises detecting acontent pad attached to the terminal, wherein the content pad isdetached from or attached to the terminal.
 6. The method according toclaim 5, wherein the determining the operation of the terminalcorresponding to the detected object comprises: determining a type ofthe attached content pad; retrieving content corresponding to thedetermined type of the content pad; and determining the operation of theterminal corresponding to the retrieved content.
 7. The method accordingto claim 6, wherein the determining the type of the attached content padcomprises: detecting a distance between the terminal and the contentpad; and determining the type of the content pad on the basis of thedetected distance.
 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein theperforming the determined operation of the terminal comprises: executingthe content corresponding to the type of the content pad; receiving auser input for controlling the content; and performing the operation ofthe terminal for the content according to the received user input.
 9. Aterminal for detecting an object that contacts the terminal, theterminal comprising: a proximity sensor unit configured to detect anobject that contacts the terminal; and a control unit configured todetermine an operation of the terminal corresponding to the detectedobject and perform the determined operation of the terminal.
 10. Theterminal according to claim 9, further comprising: a touch screenconfigured to detect a touch input, wherein the proximity sensor unitdetects a coordinate value of a contact point of the object contactingthe touch screen, wherein the control unit determines a shape of theobject on the basis of the detected coordinate value and performs anoperation corresponding to the determined shape.
 11. The terminalaccording to claim 10, wherein the proximity sensor unit detectscoordinate values of a plurality of objects contacting the terminal, andthe control unit determines shapes of the plurality of objects on thebasis of the coordinate values of the plurality of objects, and performsoperations corresponding to the determined shapes of the plurality ofobjects.
 12. The terminal according to claim 9, wherein the proximitysensor unit detects a content pad attached to the terminal, wherein thecontent pad is detached from or attached to the terminal.
 13. Theterminal according to claim 12, wherein the control unit determines atype of the attached content pad, retrieves content corresponding to thedetermined type of the content pad, and determines the operation of theterminal for the retrieved content.
 14. The terminal according to claim13, wherein the proximity sensor unit detects a distance between theterminal and the attached content pad, and the control unit determinesthe type of the terminal on the basis of the detected distance.
 15. Theterminal according to claim 12, wherein the proximity sensor unitreceives a user input for controlling the content, and the control unitexecutes the retrieved content and performs the operation of theterminal according to the user input.
 16. The terminal according toclaim 12, wherein the proximity sensor unit irradiates light to thecontent pad, and receives light reflected from the content pad, and thecontrol unit determines whether the content pad is attached on the basisof an amount of the received light.
 17. The terminal according to claim16, further comprising an optical guide for guiding light irradiatedfrom the proximity sensor.
 18. The terminal according to claim 12,wherein the proximity sensor unit comprises: a first proximity sensorunit configured to detect the content pad; and a second proximity sensorunit configured to detect the user input.
 19. The terminal according toclaim 18, wherein the first proximity sensor unit is provided with aplurality of proximity sensors arranged in a row on a corner side of theterminal, and detects a length of an inner corner side of the contentpad on the basis of a distance between the inner corner side and atleast one of the plurality of proximity sensors which has detected theinner corner side of the content pad, and the control unit determines atype of the content pad on the basis of the detected length of the innercorner side.
 20. The terminal according to claim 18, wherein the secondproximity sensor unit comprises at least one of: a plurality of firstsensors provided to a left side of the terminal; a plurality of secondsensors provided to a right side of the terminal; a plurality of thirdsensors provided to a lower side of the terminal; and a plurality offourth sensors provided to an upper side of the terminal.